World War I, then and now

A look back at scenes from the Great War in the context of modern day settings

Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

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One hundred years ago the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, instigating invasions which began the following day. The declaration effectively began World War I, as Russia quickly moved to defend its regional ally and Orthodox brothers in Serbia, with Germany then moving to defend Austria.

Take a look at these digital composite images which show scenes of WWI laid over their modern day settings.

Above: Aftermath of bombardment in Lowestoft, England during World War I and modern day 2014: A vintage postcard featuring bomb damage following the German bombardment of Lowestoft during World War One on 25th April 1916.

One hundred years ago the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, instigating invasions which began the following day. The declaration effectively began World War I, as Russia quickly moved to defend ... more

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: Early morning light at the Bank of England on July 17, 2014 in The City of London.

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: Early morning light at the Bank of England on July 17, 2014 in The City of London.

Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6652005.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Woodstock during World War I and modern day 2014: wounded soldiers playing football outside Blenheim Palace around 1916 in Woodstock, England.

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Woodstock during World War I and modern day 2014: wounded soldiers playing football outside Blenheim Palace around 1916 in Woodstock, England.

Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6651994.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: British soldiers inspecting a captured German place in the Horseguards' Parade, London during World War I in November 1915. less

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: British soldiers inspecting a captured German place in the Horseguards' Parade, London during World ... more

Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6652001.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Bournemouth during World War I and modern day 2014: Indian soldiers who were wounded fighting at Flanders recuperating at Bournemouth in England, Bournemouth, England, circa 1917. less

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Bournemouth during World War I and modern day 2014: Indian soldiers who were wounded fighting at Flanders recuperating at Bournemouth in England, ... more

Photo: Underwood Archives, Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6651996.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Royal Tunbridge Wells during World War I and modern day 2014: Departure of the Liverpool Scottish Regiment for the front from Royal Tunbridge Wells at the start of World War One, circa November 1914. less

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Royal Tunbridge Wells during World War I and modern day 2014: Departure of the Liverpool Scottish Regiment for the front from Royal Tunbridge Wells ... more

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Royal... Photo-6651992.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: Serbian soldiers marching in the Lord Mayor's show, London in the last days of WW I 9th November 1918. less

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: Serbian soldiers marching in the Lord Mayor's show, London in the last days of WW I 9th November ... more

Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6651993.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Great Dixter, England during World War I and modern day 2014: Soldiers and nurses at Great Dixter, Northiam, East Sussex, WWI, 1916. Soldiers at table in the Great Hall at Great Dixter, with some still in bed. The medieval beams and mullioned window are clearly visible. Great Dixter was turned into a convalescent home for soldiers in the 1st World War, a few years after Lutyens had worked on the house for Nathaniel Lloyd. on July 16, 2014 in Great Dixter, England. less

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Great Dixter, England during World War I and modern day 2014: Soldiers and nurses at Great Dixter, Northiam, East Sussex, WWI, 1916. Soldiers at ... more

Photo: Heritage Images, Heritage Images/Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Great... Photo-6651995.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Brighton during World War I and modern day 2014: Injured Indian soldiers of the British Army at the Brighton Pavilion, converted into a military hospital around 1915 in Brighton, England. less

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Brighton during World War I and modern day 2014: Injured Indian soldiers of the British Army at the Brighton Pavilion, converted into a military ... more

Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6651997.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: American troops marching down Sloane Street, west London, during World War I, 1918.

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: American troops marching down Sloane Street, west London, during World War I, 1918.

Photo: Interim Archives, Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6651998.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: Australian soldiers outside Egypt House in New Broad Street, London where The Australian Bank is housed in 23rd June 1917. less

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: Australian soldiers outside Egypt House in New Broad Street, London where The Australian Bank is ... more

Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6651999.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: Wounded soldiers and cadets at the Albert Hall on Empire Day in May 1918 in London.

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of London during World War I and modern day 2014: Wounded soldiers and cadets at the Albert Hall on Empire Day in May 1918 in London.

Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6652000.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Southend on Sea during World War I and modern day 2014: German prisoners of war during the First World War on their way to Southend Pier accompanied by guards and watched by the local populace. less

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Southend on Sea during World War I and modern day 2014: German prisoners of war during the First World War on their way to Southend Pier ... more

Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6652003.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Bristol during World War I and modern day 2014: Taxis line up at Bristol Temple Meads railway station on July 14, 2014 in Bristol, England. Throughout 2014 the First World War's Centenary will be remembered. less

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Bristol during World War I and modern day 2014: Taxis line up at Bristol Temple Meads railway station on July 14, 2014 in Bristol, England. ... more

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6652004.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Lancing during World War I and modern day 2014: Officers at the Lancing College Officer Training Corps in West Sussex during World War One, circa 1917. less

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of Lancing during World War I and modern day 2014: Officers at the Lancing College Officer Training Corps in West Sussex during World War One, circa ... more

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

In this digital composite image a comparison has been made of... Photo-6652006.90526 - Beaumont Enterprise